Most essential and packaged food companies are staring at a huge production and supply cut after factories were shut in several places by enforcement authorities, who also halted movement of trucks, impacting supplies of both raw material and finished goods. In towns where factories are still running, worker strength was at best 50% worker as police restricted worker movement, while many refused to come or have migrated back to their hometowns.
HUL, that makes products across personal, home and food segments, said it is important to meet the demand from our consumers for products which are extremely critical under the current circumstances such as handwash, sanitizers, floor cleaners and hygiene products. “We are therefore working with the government authorities to enable continuity of operations at our manufacturing and distribution locations. The impact on the business operations is difficult to asses as this point as the situation continues to evolve at a rapid pace,” the statement said.
Companies have requested the government to issue a directive that clearly specifies that they too are exempted from the lockdown so that factories, truckers and last mile distribution can operate.
